Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Description:

Short projections on both wings, borders irregular. Upperside is purple-black with a wide, bright yellow border on outer margins, and a row of iridescent blue spots at the inner edge of the border. Wing Span: 2 1/4 - 4 inches (5.7 - 10.1 cm).

Habitat:

This species is generally considered a butterfly of woodlands, though it may occasionally be found in drier areas such as the deserts of western North America. This one was photographed along the Bartram Trail in Columbia County, GA

Notes:

Mourning Cloaks prefer tree sap, especially that of oaks. They walk down the trunk to the sap and feed head downward. They will also feed on rotting fruit, and only occasionally on flower nectar.